Hello!
Now that term is back in full force (yay!), I thought I'd do a quick roundup of the books I read over the vac. I'm not sure if this is just me, but its been quite difficult to read a non-music book during term time. The reading lists are long (and dense), time is limited, and once I'm back in my room after a long day in the library, followed by some form of musical activity, all I want is sleep. But alas! What was all of that reading for? Oh, the essay. No time to waste, I'm typing at my desk until the early hours of the morning and by this point, there's really no time to pick up a book. Boooo. I need that sleep. *
So, what better way to spend the vac than reading? Here are all of the books I read over the Christmas vac, and my thoughts on them. They were all fabulous.
First up: Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi, translated from Japanese by David Boyd and Lucy North.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a quick and enjoyable read that reminded me of the moment when I first fell in love with Japanese novels. The storyline follows Ms Shibata, who refuses to clear away the coffee at work one day, her reasoning being that she is pregnant. The catch? She isn't actually pregnant. Organised into chapters that correspond to the weeks of her pregnancy, we join her on the nine-month ruse. There were moments where I was left unsure whether she was faking her pregnancy or if she was genuinely pregnant, especially when she heads to the doctor. It provides a valuable insight into the lives of women today, whilst maintaining a light-hearted fictional tone. This was a great way to start the vac, and I couldn't have asked for more.
Two: Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unsurprisingly, another Japanese novel discussing feminine experience. Split into two books, we meet three women: Natsuko, her older sister Makiko, and her teenage daughter Midoriko. The first of the two books focuses on a summer they spent together, where Makiko has travelled stay with Natsuko, in search for breast-enhancement surgery which she hopes will change her life. Midoriko travels with her, but is giving both of them the silent treatment. Book two fast-forwards us to eight years later, where Natsuko is now a writer, and is going through a similar journey to the one her sister went through eight years ago. Again, this probes thoughts about life as a woman today, and societal expectations. I liked it, but I'm not too sure if I could say that I loved it. Maybe if I hadn't wolfed it down so quickly, I might have enjoyed it a little more! One to revisit this summer...
Three: Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa, translated from Japanese by Alison Watts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a massive foodie, this book was appealing for obvious reasons. Revolving around a dorayaki store, we follow the three main characters through the seasons, learning more and more about them as the story progresses. Its a celebration of reunion, seeing as the three individuals all come from differing backgrounds, each bringing a sense of loneliness with them, and finding comfort in each other's company. I thought it was a thought provoking insight into life as an outcast in society, and an impactful representation as to how people can be so quick to judge.
Four: The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, translated from Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Surprise! Yet another food-related Japanese novel. I enjoyed this one a LOT and couldn't possibly have asked for more (only for there to be a sequel!). A wonderfully relaxing read, with well-chosen ideas and a wealth of relatability. I actually really enjoyed the predictability of this one, with each section having a similar layout. I think there's a lot of comfort in just knowing what the next chapter will look like, without knowing its entire contents. I'd put this novel somewhere between a light and heartwarming detective story, and a cookbook. The concept was also really lovely- food evokes memories for so many of us, and I think it was a really clever idea to explore those feelings further.
Five: The Vegetarian by Han Kang, translated from Korean by Deborah Smith.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one was an enjoyable yet goosebumpy one. Be warned- it's quite dark! I read from cover to cover in quite a short space of time because I could not put it down. The intensity held throughout was captivating, and chilling. In short, its about a graphic artist who stops eating meat after having a nightmare. But the nightmare seems to extend into real life, and results in consequences for her and her family. As a flexitarian, I thought it was a fab idea to explore the reception surrounding plant-based diets, even if this may have been a rather extreme depiction. It had the same unsettling vibes of a dystopian novel, which I loved (I'm a huge fan of unsettling books. Why? I honestly don't know). I also thought it was really nice to have it split into three sections, giving three different perspectives within the same realm of storyline- I think that this is such a clever way of writing as we get to step into the shoes of different character. Genuinely, one of my favourite books of 2023. READ IT (if you dare).
So in short, I had a (sort of) break from academic literature, in favour of translated fiction. Not a bad way to spend the vac! Stay tuned for a Hilary Term Stack in a few weeks time :)
See you soon,
leeky ♬
*Update. I seem to have unlocked some new form of academic weaponry this term (touching wood so that it stays this way!). Essays tend to be completed within daylight hours now. And as of Wednesday of 4th week, I'm currently midway my fifth non-music book this term.
Comentários